Sense of Place and Power Geometry of Female Myanmar Migrant Workers in Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

This study examined the sense of place and power geometry of female Myanmar migrant workers in Bangkok and the relationship between sense of place and power geometry with migrant workers’ other characteristics. This qualitative study is based on interviews with 15 Myanmar migrant workers, using snowball sampling. Ten Thai citizens were also interviewed, including employers, academics and officers working with migrants, in order to examine attitudes, power relationships, reciprocities and prejudices towards Myanmar migrant workers. The results show that all of the migrant workers had moved to Thailand illegally, via brokers. Thus, at the beginning of their stay in Thailand, they all lived in Thailand without any legal documents. Thailand, in the opinion of migrant workers, is a place of ‘fun, convenience, beauty, wealth, and freedom.’ Access to information technology via mobile phones allows them to build a new sense of place that shrinks the distance between their home villages and Thailand. While maintaining the linkage between families, friends and other people, migrants experience new emotions and feelings that can help to reduce their tensions. Regarding power geometry of Myanmar migrant workers, the power of Thai authorities has great influence on the migration process in Thailand. It appears to increase the power of brokers to recruit, arrange documents and find jobs for migrant workers. This power affects migrant workers, who are more likely to rely on informal support, either from brokers, relatives or friends in Thailand who are mainly from the same ethnic groups. However, a growing sense of place toward Thailand-their workplace and new home-strengthens migrant workers’ ability to continue staying in Thailand for long periods although they face many difficulties with Thai laws and regulations and with the anti-migrant prejudices of Thai people.